Method of and apparatus for extracting metals from their ores



(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 1.

v H. G. WILLIAMS. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR BXTRAGTING METALS PROM THEIR GRES- No. 552,807. Patented Jan. '7, 1896.

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!"flllW. BJEBANAM, PHOTOLITNQWASHINGTON. DC.

(NoModeL) 3 sheets-sheet 2.

H. G. WILLIAMS. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRAGTING METALS PROM I THEIR ORES. 807. Patented Jan. 7, 1896.

1 i /N VENTOH I B) V M *6 ATTORNEYS.

WIT/V AN DRZW EGRAHAM. PNOYD-UTHO. WASRINGTOQL DC 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.) A

H. G. WILLIAMS. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS r03. EXTRAGTING METALS FRQM THEIR ORES. No. 552,807. A Patented Jan. 7, 1896.

WITNESSES: INVENTOI? I. l. 6'. W705. 6mm W.

A TTOHN E Y S.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY GORDON TVILLIAMS, OF PUEBLO, COLORADO.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING METALS FROM THEIR ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,807, dated January '7, 1896 Application filed February 15, 1895- Serial No. 538,510. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY GORDON IL- LIAMS, of Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and State of Colorado, have invented a new and Improved Method of and Apparatus for Extracting Metals from their Ores, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method of and apparatus for extracting in a very simple, continuous,

and economical manner gold, silver, or other metals from their ores, or the byproducts of previous operations, by what is known as the chlorination or other wet processes.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of some of theprecipitating-tanks. an enlarged sectional side elevation of part of two connected conveyers. Fig. at is a crosssection of the same on the line 4 4: of Fig. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation with parts in section of the digesting device, and Fig. 6 is a similar view of the leaching and precipitating device. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of one end of one of the casings for the conveyers K. Fig. 8 is a cross-section through line 8 S of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is a plan view of the agitating and precipitating tank Q.

The improved apparatus for extracting metals from their ores consists principally of a digesting device A, a leaching device B, lo-

cated below and at one side of the digesting device A, and a series of precipitating-tanks O, located below the leaching device B and eX- tending at one side thereof, as plainly illustrated in Fig. 1.

The digesting device 'A is mounted in a suitably-constructed frame D and is provided with a series of screw-conveyers and mixers Fig. 3 is that the channel E connects the right-hand ends of the conveyers E and E with each other, while the channel E connects. the lefthand ends of the conveyers E and E with each other, and the channel E connects the right-hand ends of the conveyers E and with each other, and the channel E connects the left-hand ends of the conveyers E and E with each other. Each conveyer is provided with a conveyer-shaft G, mounted to turn in suitable bearings in the frame D, and extend ing through the closed ends of the conveyercasings. Each shaft G carries within the easing a number of wings or flights Gr set to more or less pitch according to the velocity with which the material is to be moved through the several connected conveyers. One outer end of each conveyer-shaft G is provided with a bevel gear -wheel G2 in mesh with a bevel gear-wheel 11, secured on a vertically-disposed shaft I-I, mounted to turn in suitable bearings in the frame D and connected with suitable machinery to impart a rotary motion to the shaft H.

As the shaft II rotates,the several conveyershafts G are revolved, so that their wings G agitate the material within the conveyer-casings and at the same time move the material forward to cause a continuous traveling of the material through the several conveyers, it being understood that the material in the uppermost conveyer E is moved forward in the direction of the arrow a to drop at the forward end of the casing through the channel E into the right-hand end of the conveyer E, to be then moved within the latter in the inverse direction of the arrow a, to finally drop through the channel E into the conveyer E to be moved forward therein. The material is in this manner moved through the several conveyers to be finally passed at the right-hand end of the lowermost conveyer E into a spout I, which delivers the digested material to the leaching device B.

The revolving feed-wheel F in the hopper F serves both to insure a continuous and uniform supply of ore and also prevents the escape of any gases generated within the conveyers. Any solid chemicals used may be introduced with the ore,whieh, if suitable, may

be moistened to any desirable degree by water or other liquid chemicals before its introduction, or the liquid chemicals and acids may be introduced into the uppermost conveyer through a pipe J arranged next to the hopper F.

By the combination of the various chemicals and the ore within the conveyers the chemical action callec digestion or disintegration originates therein. The revolving feed-wheel F may be replaced by any other suitable form of feeder that will insure in a suitable degree the two desired elements of a regular and constant supply of ore and the prevention of the escape of the gases generated in the interior of the conveyers and mixers. This precaution against the escape of the gases may not, however, be necessary in some of the wet processes. It is further understood that by the revolving of the conveyer-shafts G the ore and other materials are thoroughly and constantly mixed and moved slowly forward from the point of their introduction, the chemical action upon the metals in the meantime being in progress. The length of time to which the ore is subjected to the chemical action called digestion is regulated by and dependent upon the rate of speed at which the conveyenshafts revolve, and upon the pitch at which the wings are set.

In order to bring the metals into solution within the conveyers, I provide supply-pipes J and J arranged at opposite ends of the conveyers and connected by branch pipes J 3 with the interior of the conveyer-casings. Through these pipes J and J either water of any desired temperature or containing any desirable chemicals is added to the moving mass to bring about the desired result, as by reason of the dilution of the mass and the motion of the screw-conveyer a more violent motion of the particles of ore takes place to cause a grinding or scrubbing of one particle against another, as well as an eroding action by the water, by reason of which, the metals being already partially dissolved or in a con dition to be dissolved, the process of bringing them into solution is greatly facilitated.

At the end of the conveyer E is placed a dam or obstruction E extending up to the shaft G and serving to prevent the too rapid discharge of the more or less liquid mass into the spout I, so that the discharge is regulated by and will be no more rapid than the delivcry of material from the previous eonve yer E This dam has an inclined side next to the conveyer-blades, and while it holds back the liquid and prevents it from running away from the solids its incline permits the solids to be fed over the dam in due course of feed. In this manner each atom of the metals will have its full share of the dissolving action, and the mass of ore will at this point be more or less in a state of solution, to be finally discharged by gravity over the dam E into the chute I, to pass through a revolving gate 1 to the first conveyer K of a series of conveyers K K K K K, located one above the other in aframe- Work D,formin g part of the leaching device B.

The conveyers K K K K K are similar to the conveyers of the digesting device A, and the solid part of the ore, slowly traveling through the first conveyer K, passes over an obstruct-ion K to then drop through the channel K into the next conveyer K, to be moved longitudinally therein and to be then discharged into a vertical channel K connected wit-h the left-hand end of the conveyer K which at its right-hand end is connected by the channel K with the conveyer K and the latter is connected at the left-hand end by the channel K with the conveyer K The material thus passes through the series of conveyers, while the liquid contents of the 0011- veyers carrying the metal sought in solution is separated from the solid material and conducted away, as hereinafter described. The said solid part of the ore after having passed through all the conveyers and mixers in the series is finally discharged from theright-hand end of the conveyer K through the spout L after passing through a revolving gate or suitable gate of other construction that will pre vent the escape of steam or air which may have been used in the interior of the conveyers for creating pressure to increase the rapidity of the leaching. The materials thus discharged at the spout L are called dead on account of the sought metals having been rev moved, and may be disposed of as seems best or as further operations may require.

The construction of the conveyer-shafts N, conveyer-wings N, and the gear-wheels N H and shaft H for rotating the conveyershafts is similar to that described in reference to the same parts of the digesting device A, so that further description of the same is not deemed necessary.

The construction. of the easin for the conveyers K to K is different, and each casin g is provided on its bottom side with a filter 0, preferably constructed on the lines of a curve, as shown in Fig. 8, whose center is the same as that of the corresponding conveyer-shaft N. The filter O is constructed so as to be scoured by the conveyer-blades as the shaft revolves. The filter may extend a certain distance up each side of the casing, but should not extend above the top of the moving mass of ore and liquid.

Each filter may be made of canvas, asbestos cloth, or other suitable material, with or without sand, through which the liquid contents of the conveyers can constantly pass by gravity or pressure as the mass is being slowly butconstantly mixed and moved along, while the solid contents are retained. The solution or liquid contents of the conveyers K to K containing the metals sought in solution is thus separated from the solid particles of ore and is conveyed through pipes P and a general delivery-pipe P to a tank Q, which is the first of a series of tanks Q to Q of the precipitating device C.

As the liquid passes through the various filters, leaving solid ore in the interior of the pipes J 6 (see Fig. 7) steam or air is introduced into the interior of the conveyers, partly or wholly around the conveyer'shaft in its bearing, and passing out of each endof the conveyer-casings to preventparticles of ore from working into the bearings and causing undue wear. This same construction is also used with the pipes J and J 2 and their branch pipes J (see Fig. 3) for theconveyers in the digesting device A, previously described. The steam or air thus introduced into the conveyers K to K by creating a pressure within the casings greatly facilitates and hastens the process of separating the liquid from the solid contents of the conveyers by forcing the liquid through the filters O.

The solution for the first precipitating-tank Q is received in a continuous flow from the pipe P at a point near the bottom of the said tank. This tank, which is provided with a cover and filter, if desired, is used for two purposes: first, to allow any slime to settle which may have been carried through the conveyer-filters in the solution received from the leaching-conveyers K to K and, second, into it is introduced any chemical element with which it may be desired to neutralize acids or other elements contained in the solution preparatory to the precipitation proper. The tank Q overflows at the same rate at which it is fed through a pipe R, which delivers the solution at a point near the bottom of the tank Q. This latter tank is provided with a suitable pipe, through which may be introduced any chemical element suitable to cause the precipitation of the metal sought. The solution, as it passes through this tank, is kept in a constant state of agitation, preferably a circular or whirling motion, with the object of intimately mixing the precipitate with the solution, and also to cause a contact and agglomeration of the particles of precipitated metals to greatly facilitate the settling or detention of the metals in the succeeding tanks Q Q and Q The circular motion of the solution in the tank Q may be induced by the introduction of steam, air, or gas at a suitable pressure through the pipe S, the discharge-nozzles S of which within the said tank Q are (see Fig. 9) arranged tangentially or on the chord of a circle of the tank Q, which latter is round, the nozzles being so directed that the escape of steam, air, or gas will induce the desired motion around the inside of the tank, or the motion may be induced" by means of a mechanical stirrer extending into the tank.

From the tank Q the solution overflows into the tank Q by an overflow-pipe R which delivers the solution at a point near the bottom of the tank. In this tank Q the solution is undisturbed, and the metals are allowed to settle as much as possible. Near the top of this tank Q is placed a filter Q (see Fig. 2,) covering the full horizontal section of the interior of the tank, and made of asbestos cloth or canvas with charcoal or other suitable substance or chemical and through which the solution must filter upward in passing through and out of. the tank in its slow but continuous flow from the tank Q by the overflow-pipe R into the tank Q In this operation a certain part ofthe metal settles to the bottom of the tank and a part is retained in or by the filter Q The tank Q is in all respects similar to the tank Q and the operation thereof the same. In like manner the solution passes through the tank Q and thence the metals sought having been entirely precipitated out of the solution into solid form and having been allowed to settle to the bottom of the tanks or to be detained in the filters Q the liquid flows through the pipe R to be wasted or further treated, as may be desired.

The tanks Q Q and Q are each placed at a lower level than the one immediately preceding it, and they maybe more or less in number, as may be most suitable, and of any size desirable to handle the quantity of solution received by them, but preferably of a size that will give not less than about twenty-four hours for the solution to pass through them and to make its movement as slow as possible. The tanks may be constructed of wood, or wood lined with lead, or of iron lined with lead, as may be most suitable, and the precipitated metals may be removed from the tanks as best suits the convenience of the operations in hand.

It is understood that in my apparatus for and method of handling the ore the latter must have the usual preliminary preparationsuch as pulverizing, roasting when necessary, the. now given to the ore in extracting the metals by chlorination and other wet processes with the various methods of handling the ore now in use, but not of necessity in the same degree, as the various chemical actions are more thorough and uniform by reason of a more suitable application of the chemicals to the ore, and ore less suitably prepared can be treated with more desirable results by the continuous treatment.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In an apparatus for extracting metals from their ores by the wet processes, the combination of two series of connecting screw conveyers, means for actuating each series, a gate for feeding solid materials into the first series of conveyers, pipes for the introduction of water, steam and liquid chemicals into the said conveyers, a passage uniting the two series provided with a gate, a discharge spout forconducting away solid materials also provided with a gate, leading from the second series, pipes for conducting away liquids leading from the second series, a series of tanks con necting consecutively one with another, suitable pipes to convey liquids from the second series of conveyors to the said series of tanks, and a discharge pipe from the last tank of the series, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for the extraction of metals from their ores by the wet processes, a chemically digesting device, consisting of the combination of a series of screw conveyers, means for actuating the conveyers, a gate adapted to feed ore and solid chemicals, and a pipe for feeding liquid chemicals simultaneously and at uniform rates into the first conveyer of the said series, the said gate also being adapted to prevent the escape of gases from the interior of the conveyers, passages connecting the bottom of each conveyor of the series with the top of the one next succeeding placed alternately at opposite ends of the conveyers, and a spout with a gas tight gate leading from the discharge end of the last conveyer of the series, substantially as described.

In an apparatus for the extraction of metals from their ores by the wet processes, a leaching or liXiviating device consisting of the combination. of aseries of screw conveyers, means for actuating the conveyers, a steam and gas tight feeding gate for introducing ore and liquids into the first conveyer of the series, passages connecting the bottom of each conveyer of the series with the top of the one next succeeding placed alternately at opposite ends of the conveyers, suitable filters placed in the interior of the conveyer casings, pipes leadingfrom the interior of the said casings beneath the filters to the outside of the casings, and a spout with a gas and steam tight gate leading from the discharge end of the last conveyer of the series, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus for the extraction of metals from their ores by the wet processes, the combination with a revoluble shaft carrying flights or blades set at a suitable pitch, a casing inclosin g that part of the shaft carrying the said flights through each end of which casing the revoluble shaft passes, suitable bcarings for supporting the said shaft outside of and beyond each end of the easing, an inlet opening in the top of the casing at one end, a discharge opening in the bottom of the casing at the opposite end, and means for actuating the said shaft; of a special or false bearing at and in each end of the said casing through which bearing the shaft passes, provided with an ordinary stuffing box with means for packing the same,

. placed in the outside end of the said bearing, and also provided near its inside end with a pipe or opening adapted to introduce steam or water between the surfaces of the said shaft and the said journalbearing, substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus for the extraction of metals from their ores by the wet processes, the combination of a revoluble shaft carrying flights or blades set at a suitable pitch, a casing inclosing that part of the shaft car rying the said flights through each end of which the revoluble shaft passes, suitable bearings for supporting the said shaft outside of and beyond each end of the casing, an inlet opening in the top of the casing at one end, a discharge opening in the bottom of the casing at the opposite end, means for actuating the said shaft, a special or false bearing at and in each end of the said casing through which bearing the shaft passes, and a pipe introduced through the casing and attached to the interior of the same in a longitudinal direction with it, provided with perforations through that part of its length extending within the interior of the casing, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus for the extraction of metals from their ores by the wet processes, the combination of a revoluble shaft carrying flights or blades set at a suitable pitch, a casing inclosing that part of the shaft car-- rying the said flights through each end of which the revoluble shaft passes, suitable bearings for supporting the said shaft outside of and beyond each end of the casing, an inlet opening in the top of the casin g at one end, a discharge opening in the bottom of the casing at the opposite end, means for actuating the said shaft, a special or false bearing at and in each end of the said casing through which bearing the shaft passes, a pipe introduced through the casing and attached to the interior of the same in a longitudinal direction with it, perforated through that part of its length extending within the interior of the casing, and a block or dam placed in the interior of the casing, attached to and projecting upward from the bottom of the same and extending laterally across it at a point immediately preceding the discharge opening, adapted to diminish the cross-sectional area of the interior of the casing, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus for the extraction of metals from their ores by the wet processes, the combination of a revoluble shaft carrying flights or blades set at a suitable pitch, a casing inclosing that part of the shaft carrying the said flights, through each end of which the revoluble shaft passes, suitable bearings for supporting the said shaft outside of and be yond each end of the casing, an inlet opening in the top of the casing at one end, a discharge opening in the bottom of the casing at the opposite end, means for actuating the said shaft, a special or false bearing at each end of the said casing through which bearing the shaft passes, a pipe introduced through the casin g and attached to the interior of the same, in a longitudinal direction with it, perforated through that part of its length extending within the interior of the casing, a block or dam placed in the interior of the casing, attached to and projecting upward from the bottom of the same, and extending laterally across it at a point immediately preceding the discharge opening, and a filter, constructed of suitably porous materials, placed within the interior of the casing and resting upon but independent of the bottom of the casing, extending longitudinally through the full length of the casing from the feed end to the dam immediately preceding the bottom discharge opening and laterally across the bottom and partially up each side of the casing, and a pipe passing through and leading from the bottom of the casing from a point in the interior of the casing below the filter, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus for the extraction of metals from their ores by the wet processes, the combination of a series of tanks arranged as shown and described with the top of the second tank lower than the top of the first, and the top of each succeeding tank lower than that'of the one preceding it, a pipe adapted for the introduction of liquids into the first tank of the series delivering at a point near the bottom of the tank, a pipe leading from a point near the top of each tank of the series to a point near the bottom of the tank next succeeding, a discharge pipe leading from a point near the top of the last tank of the series, one or more tanks of the series being circular in form, and provided with a pipe extending from the top downward into the tank to a point near its bottom, and located nearer the side than the center of the tank, provided with horizontal branch pipes extending from the main pipe substantially on the line of a chord of a circle concentric with the center of the tank, substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus for the extraction of metals from their ores by the wet processes, the combination of a series of tanks arranged as shown and described with the top of the second tank lower than the top of the first, and the top of each succeeding tank lower than that of the one preceding it, apipe for the introduction of liquids into the first tank of the series, delivering at a point near the bottom of the tank, a pipe leading from a point near the top of each tank of the series to a point near the bottom of the tank next succeeding, a discharge pipe leading, from a point near the top of the last tank of the series, one or more tanks of the series being circular in form and provided with a pipe extending from the top downward into the tank to a point near its bottom and located nearer the side than the center of the tank and provided with horizontal branch pipes extending from the main pipe substantially on a line of a chord of a circle concentric with the center of the tank, and a filtering partition placed in the remaining tanks at a point between the end of the inlet pipe and the end of the outlet pipe, substantially as shown and described.

10. In an apparatus for the extraction of precious metals from their ores by the wet process, the combination of one or more casings, screw conveyers and mixers arranged therein, journal bearings for the screw conveyers outside of the casings, and extra or false bearings in each end of the casing not designed to bear the weight and thrust of the conveyer shaft but having a stuffing box at its outer side and means for introducing water or steam'at the journal of the conveyer to maintain a pressure or fiow inwardly into the casing to prevent the entrance of grit into the bearing, substantially as and for the purpose described.

11. In an apparatus for the extraction of precious metals from their ores by the wet process, the combination of one or more casings, with screw conveyers and mixers, means for feeding the solid and liquid matters thereto,

and a dam placed at the discharge end of thecasing for each conveyer having its surface inclined upon the side next to the conveyer flights or blades, for the purpose of maintaining the admixture of the liquids and solids by preventing the liquid from traveling faster than the solid and still giving passage by reason of its incline to the travel of the solids over the same, substantially as shown and described.

12. In the extraction of precious metals from their ores by the wet process, the method of continuously and uninterruptedlyprecipitating and separating the metals, which consists in simultaneously introducing the precipitating agent and an independent agitating blast of steam into the solution of metal in direction as described to secure admixture and agitation by a whirling motion and the agglomeration of the precipitated particles of metal, and continuously separating the precipitate by settlement and filtration substantially as set forth.

13. In an apparatus for the extraction of precious metals from their ores by the wet process, the combination of a series of tanks for precipitating the metals out of solution, the first precipitating tank being circular and provided with a blast pipe with discharge nozzles directed as described in the line of the chord of the circle of the tank to impart a whirling motion, and the remaining tanks having each its receiving pipe from the preceding tank opening near its bottom and its outlet pipe opening near its top and provided with a filtering medium located be tween said points, substantially as shown and described.

HENRY GORDON WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

W. W. ALLEN, W. H. HOWARD.

ICC

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